Retaining, or enhancing redgidity, and solidness.....

[VRSICK]

is solidness even a word?? I dont know, but what ever..

Hi. I'm planning to build a show/drag car out of my 70 bug, and am considering going towards rotary turbo for my power. While I have the car apart, and on jacks, I would like to take this time to help my car's sturdiness, and make sure its gonna stay in one piece, as I will be beating it to death down the track. Among other things, like brakes, suspension, and other "safety" stuff, I'd also look into increasing the car's form, and make sure the floor doesn't warp or anything, is this even an issue?

Thanx alot

-Mike

[Wally]

You could weld all seems in the car through. VW (and all other car manufacturers) only spot weld the panels.
I welded an extra plate in the sills: 4 mm thick and 4 cm high. I believe Mexican beetles have it standard in the sills. Wilst replacing the front bottom in my 1303 I also welded in a cross bar to each of the chassis mounting points. All things you can't see from the outside, but that increase stiffness a great deal.
Maybe its an idea for you as well.
Good luck,
Walter

[Steve C]

Hi

A friend of mine has a Beetle that has done a few Targa Tasmanias and London to Sydeny Marathons. He welded plates into each door corner just like the factory did on cabs.

Steve C

[Tony Z]

Installing a full roll cage should really stiffen things up.

[fweem1970]

You could make a tube chassis that would stiffen things up check out Chassis Andmanx hope this can help

Take a real good look at the Convertible body and chassis and do something along those lines.

[juse]

Are there any blueprints etc. showing the stiffening structures of cabriolets?
Justin

[chigger]

Cut a 4 inch square plate in halves about 1/8 inch thick and weld them where the a and b pillars meet the heater duct. Also where they meet the roof. Also where they meet the upper door opening. Run a bar or plate across where the front of the back seat bar is attached. And if you can a bar across the from the a pillar to the tunnel and to the other a pillar. Get some convertable reinforcement pan panels and weld them on. This is about as strong as you can get and maintain a stock looking interior. The next step is a cage. Most people don't think about tying it into the body, but if you do it strengthens both.

[Rob]

Do you guys have any tips on where to get a full cage ?
Aircooled.net carries the RLR bolt in cage, which looks really nice, but is going to cost me a fortune to ship to Canada.

Would a local raceshop be able to build a nice cage ?

Thanks,

Rob.

[Oliver Knuf]

In GB and in Germany are shops, specialized in welding exclusive roll cages to any car, as the customer wishes. They are hand formed and fitted directly with certificate to the customers car. I wonder, if there are similar shops in the US?